Dr. Donovan's Blog

12.12.2011

Take important steps offered by the American Optometric Association in safeguarding your child's eye sight while using computers or other devices. In an age of ever growing use of technology by children, specifically LCD flat screens, children are at risk for some of the same sight issues as adults, as well as some unique to children. Today, kids are spending countless hours on social media sites like Facebook and texting, and, of course, gaming. With all this screen face time comes an ever-increasing chance of eyestrain and fatigue. Kids, unlike adults, have a different perspective about using technology and can sit staring at screens big and small for hours, ignoring the signs of eye fatigue and strain in order to continue participating in an activity, which they find entertaining. The problem with continuous game play is that it can cause eye-focusing problems, which involves the eyes focusing and re-focusing. More specifically, being able to smoothly re-focus from one object to another even after a child has stopped playing for some time. Other eye situations kids are more likely to tolerate are dry eyes from infrequent blinking, screen glare, and near and far sightedness. Another consideration is a child's viewing angle, for an adult a comfortable screen-viewing angle is about 15 degrees. However, for a child sitting in adult chairs, the angle is much greater, which can make viewing the screen more difficult for a child. To help your child safeguard their sight and have a more pleasurable time while using the family computer, the American Optometric Association offers some simple common sense steps you can take. The AOA suggests an eye exam as a good first step in determining if there are any underlying eye conditions, which may be contributing to eyestrain, such as the need for glasses. Also, building in break times, as mentioned kids will continue to do what they are doing if it is entertaining, and forget to give their eyes a much needed rest. Getting them away from the screen every hour is a good rule in helping to reduce eye-refocusing problems. To reiterate, adjustment to the sitting position and angle of the viewing screen can reduce eyestrain. In addition, removing sources of screen glare such as lamps placed behind the screen also help. Moreover, moving the screen away from bright windows and reducing light levels in the room. Another point to remember is today kids are using screens more at school and passing these helpful ideas on to your kid's teacher may earn you a gold star!

Prevent Diabetes: Keep Your Eyes Healthy
11.8.2011

In the United States, diabetes is responsible for eight percent of legal blindness. It is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age. On average, 18,000 people with diabetes will lose their sight this year. In fact, 17 million Americans have diabetes and one-third does not even realize they have it.

November is National Diabetes Month and the SC Optometric Physicians Association is encouraging SC citizens to take the necessary steps to protect their health and vision. A comprehensive eye examination is the only method for accurately diagnosing diabetic eye disease, cataracts or glaucoma.

“It is extremely urgent to contact your local optometrist if you are experiencing blurred or double vision, headaches when reading, pain in your eyes, or a loss of peripheral vision,” explains Lori Roberts Donovan, O.D. “Because a diagnosis of diabetes can also bring with it the possibility of irreversible vision loss or total blindness, your optometrist can serve as the first line of detection.”

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness. It occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels inside the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. If you have diabetic retinopathy, at first you may notice no changes to your vision. However, over time, diabetic retinopathy can get worse and cause vision loss. Diabetic retinopathy usually affects both eyes.

Fortunately, help is available for people with diabetic retinopathy. If needed, laser and other surgical treatments can be used to reduce its progression and risk of vision loss. Early treatment is important because once damage has occurred, the effects can be permanent. Individuals with diabetes can reduce their risk of blindness 95 percent by taking prescribed medications as instructed, following a healthy diet regimen, exercising regularly, controlling high blood pressure and scheduling an annual eye examination.

New Survey Data Reveals Parents’ Concerns about Eye and Vision Health as More Classrooms Go High-Tech
3D Imaging and Digital Devices Require Optimal Visual Capabilities and Eye Health
8.2.2011

Classrooms around the country are becoming increasingly high-tech, and teachers are incorporating 3D imaging, digital devices and the latest computer applications into their daily curriculum. While these devices can greatly enhance learning, they also increase the importance of proper eye and vision care.

According to the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) 2011 American Eye-Q ® survey, parents have some concern about the effects of the evolving technology. Fifty-three percent of respondents with children 18 or younger believe 3D viewing is harmful to a child’s vision or eyes and 29 percent of parents feel very concerned that their child may damage their eyes due to prolonged use of computers or hand-held electronic devices.

“Today’s classroom technology is extremely visual, making it critical for students to maintain excellent eye health,” said Dr. Lori Roberts Donovan, optometrist and the South Carolina Optometric Physicians Association President. “Binocular vision, focusing abilities as well as nearsightedness and farsightedness should be checked by an eye doctor yearly, particularly as students head back to school.”

Three-dimensional imaging is a technology that is quickly making its way into the classroom, allowing for virtual tours of museums or views from inside the human heart. But not everyone can see in 3D and some children experience problems. Ten percent of survey respondents report their child experienced headaches; seven percent indicated nausea and six percent said their kids felt dizzy after using 3D technology. Furthermore, the SCOPA and the AOA estimates anywhere from three to nine million people have problems with binocular vision, prohibiting them from viewing 3D images.

“Quite simply, people who have even a small vision misalignment or those who don’t have equal vision in both eyes may not be able to see 3D images properly,” said Dr.Lori. ”Watching images in 3D can unmask issues such as lazy eye, convergence insufficiency, poor focusing skills and other visual problems students might not have previously known existed."

Undetected visual problems that affect the ability to see in 3D can also have an impact on students’ future careers. The 3D@Home Consortium, in partnership with the AOA, has developed a list of professions where 3D vision, tools and design are, or will be, used frequently to complete tasks or projects. The list includes professions ranging from astronomers to surgeons, engineers to forensic scientists.

According to a new report from the AOA, research on the learning benefits of using 3D in the classroom is still in its infancy, but early findings indicate that focus, attention span, retention, classroom behavior, and achievement gains are all seeing improvement. The report, “3D in the Classroom – An AOA Report” was developed in collaboration with educators, vision researchers and specialist advisors from across the 3D industry. It’s designed for teachers, students and parents and explains the optimal uses of 3D in the classroom.

The use of 3D imagery in schools compounds the already high usage of computer technology in today’s classroom. State-of-the-art computer labs are now mainstream at many schools; students often use laptops, tablets and other digital devices throughout the school day. According to the AOA’s American Eye-Q® survey, 62 percent of parents estimate their child spends one to four hours using a computer, video game, mp3 player or hand-held electronic device each day.

Unfortunately, prolonged use of these technologies can cause eye strain, headaches, fatigue, burning or tired eyes, loss of focus, blurred vision, double vision or head and neck pain. The SCOPA and the AOA calls this condition computer vision syndrome (CVS). CVS occurs when eye or vision problems related to near work are experienced during or related to using digital devices.

“The continued popularity and use of computers and digital devices in the classroom certainly poses a number of challenges to the visual system,” said Dr.Lori. “Many of these issues can be solved with good ergonomics and yearly, comprehensive eye exams by an optometrist.”

Students can help avoid CVS by practicing the 20-20-20 rule. At least every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and view something 20 feet away. Studies show that people need to rest their eyes to keep them moist. Plus, staring off into the distance helps the eyes from locking into a close-up position. The SCOPA and the AOA further recommends that students take a 15-minute break for every two hours spent on computers or other digital devices.

Early detection and treatment are key in correcting vision problems and helping students see clearly. For more information on 3D vision, or to download a copy of “3D in the Classroom – An AOA Report,” visit www.3deyehealth.org. To find an optometrist in your area, or for additional information on children’s vision and the importance of back-to-school eye exams, please visit www.sceyedoctors.com or www.aoa.org.

About the American Eye-Q® survey:

The sixth annual American Eye-Q® survey was created and commissioned in conjunction with Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB). From May 19 – 23, 2011, using an online methodology, PSB interviewed 1,000 Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of U.S. general population. (Margin of error at 95 percent confidence level)

About the American Optometric Association (AOA):

The American Optometric Association represents approximately 36,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians. Optometrists serve patients in nearly 6,500 communities across the country, and in 3,500 of those communities are the only eye doctors.  Doctors of optometry provide two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States.

American Optometric Association doctors of optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors on the frontline of eye and vision care who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in a patient’s overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Prior to optometry school, optometrists typically complete four years of undergraduate study, culminating in a bachelor’s degree. Required undergraduate coursework for pre-optometry students is extensive and covers a wide variety of advanced health, science and mathematics. Optometry school consists of four years of post-graduate, doctoral study concentrating on both the eye and systemic health. In addition to their formal training, doctors of optometry must undergo annual continuing education to stay current on the latest standards of care. For more information, visit www.aoa.org

 

MARCH IS SAVE YOUR VISION MONTH:
HEALTHY VISION FOR ADULTS OF ALL AGES:

March is Save Your Vision Month: Healthy Vision for Adults of All Ages It's important to take proactive steps to protect eyesight, such as quitting smoking, eating food rich in key nutrients and protecting eyes from UV rays. In addition to following healthy habits like eating right and exercising, patients should be knowledgeable about any eye diseases that run in their family and should discuss them with their optometrist. The most important step to take during the "golden" years is to visit an optometrist regularly to check for the onset of diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma. Many of these conditions have no early symptoms, developing painlessly and can be quite advanced before noticeable vision changes occur. Also, depending on family history and risk factors, the doctor may recommend patients in their 60s and beyond have vision checkups more than once a year.

In addition to taking the necessary steps to protect your vision, doctors of optometry encourage individuals to consider eye and vision care as an integral part of their regular health care routine.

· Eye exams on a yearly basis are the best defense against irreversible vision loss and can provide an optometrist with insight into a person's overall health and wellness.
· Adults should have eye exams annually, or as recommended by an eye doctor. Children should have their first eye assessment between six to 12 months of age, then again at age three and again before starting school.
· An adult's eyesight can change rapidly and frequently, particularly as one ages. Having one's vision examined on a regular, timely basis is important to maintaining overall health and can lead to early detection of various systemic diseases including elevated cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension.

A person's lifestyle can also have an effect on their eye health and vision. It's important to take the proper measures at any age to help ensure healthy, comfortable vision.

· Computer vision syndrome is a condition caused by prolonged use of a computer screen and can cause problems such as dry eye, eyestrain, headaches, neck and/or backaches, light sensitivity and fatigue.
o Americans should also pay attention to how long they use electronic devices. The AOA recommends that all Americans practice the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away).
o Many of the symptoms are temporary and will improve after ceasing computer work. However, some individuals may continue to experience visual problems, such as blurred distance vision, even after computer work has stopped.
o Pre-existing, uncorrected vision problems like farsightedness and astigmatism, inadequate eye focusing or eye coordination abilities, and age-related eye issues also contribute to CVS.
· Watching 3-D programming can unmask issues such as lazy eye, convergence insufficiency, poor focusing skills and other visual problems consumers might not have previously known existed. o Signs that may indicate a potential problem include:
- Eyestrain or headaches during or after viewing
- Nausea or dizziness during or after viewing
- Lack of vividness when viewing 3-D images
- General discomfort and avoidance of 3-D viewing

 

OPEN YOUR EYES TO DIABETES
SC RANKS 10th HIGHEST IN THE NATION
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